Republican Cash Tossing

Share.

There are many ways to rule in Eidos and Elixir's city simulation, Republic, but who says money can't buy you everything, including love?

By Ivan Sulic

Elixir Studios has been busily toiling away on the extremely ambitious, open-ended and seemingly revolutionary Republic: The Revolution, which is where we always blindly assumed the name originated from. Now, some five or ten or twelve thousand years after development began (depending on how you view the passage of time), Republic is actually finished. It's so finished, in fact, that the game is gold and being pressed for mass distribution as we speak and you read (we at IGN have those talk and type devices).

But even though the game has been in development close to forever, it'd still be wise to learn a little more about it, and to know exactly how an ambitious and potentially totally ruthless dictator will be able to quell mounting threats and please belligerent peasant subordinates. Not too long ago Eidos informed us that Force was always an answer. Now the company is urging gamers to put their fists in their pockets...right after they whip out their checkbooks.

"Where Force-oriented factions and characters use physical means to propel their rise to power, those who are Wealth-oriented buy their way to the top. Wealth allows your character to perform acts ranging from minor gifts and political donations to outright bribes and large-scale economic manipulation, and brings a touch of capitalism to your otherwise altruistic political struggle.

Unlike Force-heavy characters, most Wealth-oriented characters are on the up and up. They include the following occupations among their ranks:

Media Representatives

Celebrities

Businessmen

Wealth is a very useful asset, and Wealth characters are among the most versatile in Republic: The Revolution. They are high-profile people and are good at spreading the word about your cause--and, when necessary, spending money to degrade the reputation of a pesky political opponent without resorting to violence. Wealth-affiliated characters and factions are best suited for amassing support for their respective factions."

Republic will be in stores on August 26th. Huzzah! Even though it seems pigs are flying and the end of the world is nigh, we'll at least get to play Elixir's much ballyhooed title for ourselves and for many hours even.

If you're as interested as we are in seeing what the final version of Republic is like, please find your copy available for preorder at the GameStore.